Tearful Maria's Wimbledon exit

Defending champion Maria Sharapova crashed out of Wimbledon after a sensational semi-final showdown with Venus Williams.

The Russian beauty looked like she was fighting back tears after losing in straight sets to former champion Williams in a match of roars, grunts and squeals.

The 14th seed's 7-6 6-1 victory avenged her younger sister Serena's defeat at the hands of Sharapova in last year's final and showed she is back at the top of the game.

Williams jumped for joy and basked in the crowd's adoration while her defeated opponent struggled with her emotions.

As the pair left Centre Court after the one hour 42 minute match Sharapova blew a sad kiss to her fans.

An emotional Sharapova reflected on the loss of the title she had claimed against Venus' sister Serena last year.

She said: "I'm obviously very said - this tournament means a lot to me more than any other tournament.

"But there's many years to come and it's just one of those things where you want to win but you can't.

"I just played against a really good opponent, I thought we played a really good match and it went to the better person.

"I don't think I played my best tennis, but credit to her for not making me play my best.

"I think that is the best she's played of the previous encounters - she wasn't making as many errors.

"I think I need to get stronger because the stronger I get the bigger my serve will be and the easier it will be to get a few free points."

Venus overcoming difficult times

Williams last reached a grand slam final at Wimbledon 2003, a final won by sister Serena but which Venus played with a stomach injury sustained in her semi-final.

Since then she has tumbled down the rankings after a series of injuries and personal problems, culminating in the murder of one of her sisters.

She had not beaten a top-five player, apart from Serena, for two years which explains her number 14 seeding at Wimbledon 2005.

However, she maintained that she has been slowly returning to form and was not surprised by the quality tennis she produced to beat Sharapova.

"I had a shoulder problem from April and I could not really serve," said Williams. "Being healthy is very important because it gives you the opportunity to train. Last year I didn't really have the opportunity to prepare. I was never quite healthy.

Despite having won two Wimbledons and two US Opens, did she wonder whether she would reach another grand slam final?

"No, not at all," she said. "There were times when I was disappointed at how I played because I knew I could play better. But everyone has their moment in the sun. Everyone has their chance to win sometimes. I would like it to be me every time but that's almost impossible."

The two-times Wimbledon champion will play either fellow American Lindsay Davenport or Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who were due to complete their rain-hit semi-final this afternoon.